Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.